A personal reflection on why insisting can sometimes be an act of belief
By Sean J. Kennedy
(Written December 2025, edited May 2026)

At the Moment of the Question

A friend recently asked me whether they should encourage—or insist—that their…

Remembering Neil Peart

My social media post from January 10, 2020

A friend just texted me the news that one of my drumming heroes, Neil Peart, passed away this week. Social media will be flooded with tributes, but I just…

Who Did They Listen To?

Written by Sean J. Kennedy

December 24, 2009

About ten years ago when I started getting into Brazilian music, some of the most important things I learned actually happened away from the drum kit. I…

The Lost Art of Listening

Written by Sean J. Kennedy

April 6, 2010

Working with hundreds of young musicians over the last twenty years, I have come to an observation: most kids hear music but don't really listen to music.…

Sound Advice: Words to Practice By

Written by Sean J. Kennedy

February 14, 2012

Whenever I have the opportunity to hold a drum clinic or adjudicate a music festival and tape record comments for the performers, I often find myself…

Rockin' The Waltz

Written by Sean J. Kennedy

Drum & Percussion Lessons

September 19, 2009

For the past three years I have had the opportunity to play drumset and snare drum on tour with the Strauss Symphony of America, which…

Do You Really Know It?

Written by Sean J. Kennedy

November 26, 2009

Frequently, when working with a drum student they will bring their iPod to the lesson and say something like “I want to learn to play this song.”…

Bass Drums, Berlioz, and Bubba

Written by Sean J. Kennedy, November 19, 2011

Symphonie Fantastique is a program symphony that was written by the French composer, Hector Berlioz, between 1830 and 1845, that tells the story of an artist gifted…